Junior Tax Associate Review

by BDO

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

8.6/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

On a day to day basis, I am involved in performing standard tax compliance and risk for a base of private individuals. I also work on providing specific tax advice for these individuals regarding their personal tax affairs.

9/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have learnt various on the job skills that require me to advance in my career. This can be either from tax compliance, risk, ad hoc advisory or understanding the wider finances involved in working in Private client tax. I have also learnt skills regarding computing and excel.

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy what I do quite thoroughly. It involves a lot of high net worth clients with interesting tax structures that allows me to develop my knowledge base to advance my career. The culture at BDO is also great, and the people encourage you to be yourself.

10/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

I would say that it is a mix. Compared to the expectations people would have of my firm, I think there is a lot to do to re-organise and re-structure the firm so it runs more efficiently However, when things do go to plan I think it runs quite well and you can see why they are the firm that they are.

10/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

I think people work well to support each-other in the firm. The most support I have received was from fellow co-workers and specific managers. I have also had one on ones with partners whivh make it very helpful. I think that for new grads, however, more should be done to support their development.

7/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

My caseworker at BPP is truly lovely, however, the support I have received from BPP has been subpar. I didnt know who my training provider was until a few months in.

9/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

my qualification (CTA) helps me when providing advice but in relation to the training provider, please see above.

7/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

there are social activities but not as often as id like, however, if you put yourself forward to do more with work outside of work then they will definitely help organise for you.

8/10

9a. Would you recommend BDO to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

because overall I think the firm are great. they want you to succeed and they are great people from top to bottom. I really do enjoy working here.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?

be yourself, be confident and work hard when you can. An internal network is key as well as an external so take any oppurtunity you can.